How long should I wait for payment?

[jontheoldone]

I sold some Barbie dolls on Oct. 14th. The buyer hasn't paid yet. They messaged me on (I think) the 15th to say they would pay on Friday (18th). I messaged back that that was perfectly fine because it was. But today on the 19th they messaged me again to say they had an unexpected expense and couldn't pay me until next Friday.

So I guess my questions are - should I wait? Will I get into any trouble with EBAY if I wait too long to try and cancel the sale? I haven't shipped the dolls yet of course because I never ship before the item has been paid for, but I'm a bit worried that if I wait this long to ship I could get dinged by EBAY for it. The dolls sold for more money than I usually deal with in any given transaction (about $200) so that's probably adding to the worry a bit too.

[myescape]

Shipping clock does not start til buyer pays so that is not an issue.Just decide how long you are willing to wait,just do not go more than 30 days

[no_zero369]

Make a business decision.  If you anticipate (or know with 100% certainty) a buyer coming along next week, then cancel the sale.  If not wait for the buyer to pay.  A bird in hand....

If these delays are something you don't want to deal with, change your default settings to require Immediate Payment!

[csbbct · Accepted solution]

It's up to you how long you're willing to wait.  eBay will not give you defects for shipping time because the buyer hasn't paid.  When you decide you've waited long enough and the buyer still isn't paying you, file an Unpaid Item Case.  eBay will send a message to the buyer and if they still don't pay you within four days of that you can close the case, the buyer will receive an unpaid item strike, and you will be returned your fees.  Do it this way rather than cancelling the sale unless the buyer has asked you to cancel it.  If you cancel the sale without the buyer requesting to cancel, you could receive a defect from eBay and you won't get your fees returned to you.

[jontheoldone]

Thank you!

I'm glad to hear that the 'clock' doesn't start until the buyer pays and I'm extremely grateful to know that canceling the order would get me a defect and I should file an unpaid item instead. This is valuable information for me! So far I haven't had too file any cases myself, though I had one filed against me in my first week or two of selling - they said the item hadn't arrived, I said it showed delivered in the tracking and EBAY eventually ruled in my favor, so it all worked out.

I guess I shall wait till next Friday and hope that payment comes through. As has been said a bird in hand. My sales have been a bit slow of late so I'll try and hang onto this sale. Again thank you very much to everyone here.

[2015mhfashions]

Personally as you had already given a payment extension which has passed i would message them Tuesday stating you have to open an unpaid item case. This would allow for them to pay on Friday as they promised but would also allow you to relist if they do not pay, if you wait till Friday and they don't pay you have to start the UPI and waste a further 4 days.

Opening the UPI Tuesday gives them the time allowed to pay as promised but also saves you a further 4 days if they do not.

Explain you are more than happy for them to pay on Friday but cannot allow any further extensions as your items are essentially in Limbo.

[byrd69er]

How long should I wait for payment?

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